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Jeremiah, 20, from Amarillo, Texas, completed the seven-month Professional Welder program at Tulsa Welding School in January 2024.
Thanks for your time, Jeremiah. What did you do before coming to TWS?
I graduated high school in 2022. I knew I didn’t want to go to college because I didn’t like high school. I was going to actually attend Tulsa Welding School right after high school, but I wanted to work first to save a little bit of money before I came down here. I worked on a ranch.
So, where did the idea of welding school come from?
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It actually came from my friend, David. We were going to go to Tulsa Welding School after high school, but because I wanted to save some money first, he ended up going a year before me. He told me all about it and I was just like, “Man, I don’t know if I can do it because I’ve never welded.” But at my ranch job, we’d weld fences. I tried it and I was like, “Man, this is kind of fun.” So, even though I was skeptical, I decided to attend after all, after I saved some money. When David finished welding school, he told me, “They showed me how to do everything. They’ll even help you get a job after you finish.” Although I was nervous, I was excited because knew it could be a good opportunity for me.
Was welding those fences the only time you’d tried to weld? No experience at high school?
In high school they had options for welding, but I never wanted to do it. They did have a welding simulator in one of the classes I took; I tried it, and it was kind of hard. It was a little different to the OcuWeld VR they have a TWS. So, the first time I really tried welding was at the ranch.
How was moving out of state on your own at 19??
It was kind of weird, but David was still in Tulsa, so it wasn’t like I was by myself. He even helped me get my first welding job; I worked there during school as a helper at first. They let me practice welding on my breaks before they moved me up to a welder. I worked during the day and did the evening welding classes.
What did you enjoy most about your time at TWS?
I enjoyed some of the teachers, they really want to help you learn.
Did you have difficult days on the program? And if so, how did you move forward?
I really thought welding was going to be easier than it was. It wasn’t easy. I’d say my friend, David, got me through. He’d come in to help me when I needed help. And certain teachers would help me, and they gave me that confidence that I needed to push forward.
So, you graduated six months ago. Where are you working now?
I work for Kinder Morgan. My cousin sent me a picture and said his friend was looking for a helper on the pipeline. I’d never been on the pipeline, so I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to see if I like pipeline work…and I do. I started in February after I finished school.
Are you welding now, or still helping?
I am still a helper. Right now, I’m trying to save money so I can buy my own welding machine and stick it on my truck. I hope to get that done in the next three or four months. Then I intend to branch out as a welder by myself, contracting either for Kinder Morgan or another oil and gas company.
Are you traveling now, or based on one job site?
We’re working on a job that’s kind of close to where I’m from in Texas. It’s a good job site for me, I get to live at home which helps with saving money. We have about another three months of work here.
How is the money as a welding helper right out of welding school? Are you able to save?
You’re kind of skeptical at first about the money you can make as a helper, but they actually pay pretty good if you get on with a good company. I’m saving and planning my future out.
So, what is your career plan from here, Jeremiah? Will you stay with pipeline work?
Yes, I want to travel. You get to see the world with welding, you can go anywhere, wherever there’s work. I think that would be the best option for me.
How do you go about getting that first contracting job when you’re ready to go out on your own?
The guy that I weld with right now said that if I need help getting a job when I’m ready to branch out, he’s more than happy to help and point me in the right direction to get a job.
That’s good of him. What do you enjoy most about your new trade?
I’d say it’s the creative side, just knowing that I’m building something meaningful that’s going to last and be used for something important. I like to be able to say, “I did that”. I take a lot of pride in my work.
Are you enjoying welding as much as you hoped you would?
Yes sir. I would say I am. But I would say when I first started, I was really skeptical too because I nervous and scared at the same time.
Skeptical of what? The work, the opportunities?
I think my ability to do it. I really thought it was going to be easier than it was at first.
Did you make some connections at school? Friends that you’ll stay in touch with.
I didn’t really socialize with my classmates. But I have seen some people from school since and I’m like, “Hey man, I know you from somewhere?” It turns out we probably went to school together.
What advice do you have for someone to be successful at Tulsa Welding School?
I would say don’t give up. I thought about it, I thought about giving up, but I didn’t. Just stay patient and think it through. Welding school is going to be hard at first because you don’t know what you’re doing, which is understandable. Just know it’s going to be hard, but just stick with it. It’ll be worth it in the end.
If you’re a TWS graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year), program, and campus name (Tulsa/Jacksonville/Houston/Dallas).
